This place is PHENOMENAL. You can't trust the online menu because they constantly have new and seasonal foods, not to mention entire menu sections that aren't listed online. If you're in the mood for hot dogs, comfort food, ice cream, or fair food, this is the place to get it. They have that wonderful, small-town atmosphere that Clare is known for, with a great outdoor seating section. People frequently gather here to visit and I constantly see groups of kids playing outside. This is a great spot to meet people if you're new to the area. My only complaint is that they're not open in the winter. Withdrawals, I tell you. read more

We stopped by about 630 - 7 pm on 7/11/26. We ordered a banana split. It was the worse banana split I have ever had. It was all soft serve ice cream(and very little of that) Just a smidgen of pineapple, very little strawberry. and lots of whipped cream to cover the lack of ice cream. Very Very disapointed. read more

Ordered the 22 BBQ brisket plate and received 2 pieces of tough dry brisket and a tiny bit of pulled turkey and sides that looked like they were for a child. Sadly even the Texas toast tasted of burnt grill. This was my first experience here and I will only ever get ice cream. read more

The ice cream here is creamy & delicious. I wish they didn't serve their mouth-watering treats in styrofoam tho. Takes away from the old-fashioned feel of the place & bad for the environment. read more

Vanilla malt taste good good location No wait at all The service was good Recommend a to give them a try read more

Dairy Phil Ice Cream Parlor - Vanilla malt - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Clare, Michigan

The one star is for the extremely kind and nice young lady that took my order. The rest....comical

Stopped here for an evening treat during a biking overnite in Clare; good selection of ice cream treats; I had a mixer and thought the serving size was generous for the price; my companion had a sunday; we both enjoyed our treats and would return to Phil's without hesitation. This store is either "to go" or provides ample outside seating opportunity. read more

Been coming here for years such a cute little place always has the best tasting food and deserts

Great local traditional ice cream parlor. Great food and atmosphere. Highly recommend.

Driving home from camping up in Manistee, the boyfriend and I decided we had to pull over for the Cops and Doughnuts bakery. Driving though Clare, we noticed this place and their BBQ sandwich specials. Seeing it was dinnertime, it was basically a given that we were going to stop here. This little walk-up restaurant offers BBQ sandwiches, ice cream, frozen yogurt, Dole-whip and other yummy food selections. The girl who took our order at the window was the sweetest, nicest girl I probably have ever met. I don't think anyone could be as thorough, accommodating and sweet as this girl was as she took our orders for a BBQ pulled pork (for him) and BBQ Chicken sandwich (for me). They offer four different BBQ sauces and plenty of sides if you decide to make your sandwich a combo. I opted for the sweet BBQ sauce...so good, it's got Slows beat (no joke)! The sandwiches were definitely the highlight of the meal, as I can't even remember what sides we chose...I think I got fries, but I'm not exactly certain as the BBQ sandwich topped with cole-slaw definitely stole the show! When bring the food to our picnic table, the sweet server even offered complementary doggie cones for the dogs. Dairy Phil definitely made four bellies very, very happy! Of course, to finish off dinner, the humans also had to get some cold treats. Amazingly, sweet and tart raspberry Dole-whip for the man and I went with my old favorite of a twist cone dipped in chocolate. A perfect ending to a perfect meal! Oh, the price is definitely right here...two dinner combos were around $10. I cannot wait to return here on my next trip up north! read more

The draw here is the BBQ. My favorite is the pulled pork sammy. Authentic southern-style. Actual pulled pork, not shredded/processed. Sauce on top of the meat (sauce is phenomenal, whichever one you choose). Grilled bun. Make sure you get it with the slaw on the sandwich. Southern slaw, not the white and sweet stuff we Northerners are used to. It really makes the sandwich complete. There is no place I've been to in Michigan that replicates the North Carolina BBQ style as well as Dairy Phil. In fact, no other place even tries. The sides are very good, the smoked potato salad is outstanding. I would rather have one of these sandwiches than ice cream, and I have a sweet tooth. Honestly. read more

Dairy Phil Ice Cream Parlor - Pulled pork sandwich with slaw. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Clare, Michigan

This is a great place. Great homemade food, friendly staff, good prices. The BBQ is really good, and authentic (no sauce on the meat). The slaw on the sandwich is good. Plus they deliver! Rock on, Dairy Phil. Note to Phil: Charging 50c for using a credit card is cheap, and probably against the terms of service with your card processor. Cost you a star, Phil. read more

After being completely ignored at the Whitehouse in Claire, we ventured down the road a little further and ran into a great little drive inn. They have all the best drive inn classics and more. Including BBQ! My wife and I had the pulled pork with different sauces. And then we had some great hand scooped ice cream. What a great place! We stopped in again on our way back from "Up North". I had a classic cheeseburger deluxe with fries and my wife had the pulled pork sandwich again. And of course we had to try some different ice cream this time. Love this place. We will definitely make it a regular stop on our way to and from "up north". read more

Bugs everywhere doors where not on there food had worm and they no gloves and o watched a waitress spit in my food NEVER GOING THERE AGIAN

Watermelon sherbet smoothie with strawberries and blueberries is the best thing I've ever had at an ice cream place. Curious to try out the peanut butter bacon burger next time... read more

They have the best homemade, thick waffle cones. We will probably be coming here every day until they close for the winter on Sunday.

Hard to believe more people have not made noise about this gem. It is a classic ... a throwback location well over 60 years old that is lovingly kept up with flowers, clean tables, and a quirky ice cream menu. Staff attire inspired by Rosie the Riveter. Great locations to sit outside amid bright red painted tables and benches, topped off by fresh flowers. Ice cream was great. Easy to enthusiastically recommend! read more

Bbq burgers at $8.50 each which did not even have a slice of tomato or lettuce, cheese etc. Sauce and a smashed onion ring on top. Asked if it came with fries and no it did not. Was expecting so much more for this price. Two burgers, with just two sodas and one small order of fries it came to over $20. Definitely not worth it. In fact, the cups of soda were not even filled anywhere near the top of the cup. More like 2/3rds full. Honestly, I would have preferred the dollar menu at McD's. Maybe it was an off day for this place, but they will never get our money again. read more

So desperate for ice cream tonight, I ventured to Dairy Phil - one of the only places open on a Sunday evening in Clare. Even though the staff was fast and friendly, their compassion was lacking and the portions were very small this evening. I have had so much better and for much less money. I was very sad and this evening barely satisfied my cravings. I ordered 4 ice creams - for 4 people - but I was by myself. There was no offer for lids, a bag, a helping hand when my ice cream spilled on the glass case - not even a fresh one--just a towel for ME to clean up the mess. Moreover, she asked me why I did not tell her they were to go and that I needed lids and a bag???? REALLY? All of the ice creams were such pitiful portions that I felt very ripped off. I was not a happy camper tonight. I hope the next time I venture into downtown Clare - and want ice cream here, it will be better than what happened to me tonight. :( I will give an updated review if I go again. read more

The "dairy" part of the Dairy Phil menu is swell -- they have a lot of special sundaes and other ice-cream based desserts, AND they even twirl their soft-serve old-school style to make those cute, smooth, rounded cones with the little topknot -- but to me Dairy Phil's big draw is the barbecue. This is the real, home-smoked deal. We love the pulled pork and chicken; they also serve ribs, brisket, even turkey breast. They offer three different sauces for your q': sweet, hot and Carolina mustard. And they have great side dishes, including deep-fried okra -- how often do you see THAT in outstate Michigan? -- and a unique smoked potato salad that I have been trying unsuccessfully to replicate at home.;-) You get huge portions for your money, too. This is a hidden mid-Michigan gem -- if you find yourself getting hungry on US-127 somewhere between Mt. Pleasant and Houghton Lake, take the Clare exit and look for the Dairy Phil on Clare's main street! read more

Great Mom & Pop ice cream parlor. I have only had ice cream there but they do have a interesting looking food menu that I have meant to try out. The staff are friendly and courteous. This place reminds me of every ice cream place my parents took me to when I was a kid. read more

Today I NEEDED ice cream, so went to the Dairy Phil. I ordered two scoops of butter pecan with hot fudge on top. The portion was so SMALL, I didn't even feel guilty, and the price was HIGH at $3.95. I felt ripped off. The lady who waited on me was very pleasant, but I was very disappointed with what I got for the money. read more